Blunt Leo’s Beaten and Blank at Burley

With the North Leeds backs shortage being exacerbated by a number of Gaylords preparing for Stacey’s exit from The X Factor rather than aid the 4th XV cause Lord Newns of Harewood was left as fulcrum of a back line with a hooker at scrum half, and a prop at inside centre as Leo’s lined up with 17.6% of backs in their squad. Burley on the other hand looked fit, organised and up for the challenge.
Leo’s began with a record breaking kick off reception. Three players watched the ball drop, bounce, and roll out for a lineout, which was virtually uncontested, allowing the swift Burley backs to run in almost unopposed, topside, convert, and record a 7 point lead before a Leo’s player had touched, or even wanted to touch, the oval leathery thing. Somewhat chastened by this embarrassment the visitors applied themselves to the task and blundered downhill with the pack making good progress with Simon, Mark and Tom working well, possession secured by support from Josh and Winters, with Scotty arriving eventually. Gav kept the backs guessing with his inventive scrum half play and Newnsy tried both his tricks to make the territory count. With the front five more than a match for the home side there was no shortage of territory, possession and opportunity which Leo’s were unable to fully exploit. The home defence was up quickly and tackled strongly as the impending demise of Miss Solomon was felt more painfully by those who bothered to play rather than those who chose to get their pyjamas and slippers ready for their evening in.
Burley popped over a penalty as they were not finding it easy to break through the visitor’s defence where scrambling tackles and Billy’s catch, dither, run and flattenings were frustrating the tetchy home side. At only 0-10 down at the break there was a hint of a chance to make a game of it. Ray limped off and a reshuffle moved Si Cz away from a three Si pack, to be replaced by Batman and the second half began where the first had finished. Forwards battled hard for possession, Johnny Parker made erratic decisions, Burley got tetchier, but their superior backs play made the difference with two more tries. Leo’s drove the ball over the home sides try line but couldn’t ground it. Gav was tripped cynically when embarking on a kick and chase and Leo’s kept plugging away but never quite finding that clinical touch to avoid a second consecutive blank. It wasn’t lack of effort or application and Leo’s were congratulated on their spirited performance by the hosts, comparing it favourable against the 2nd XV showing a few weeks previously, against many of the same opposition. Pride intact, but frustration bubbling, Leo’s need to find a clinical cutting edge and midfield general to avoid a very promising season slipping towards mediocrity.
With X Factor and Strictly coming to an end it is hoped that the Gaylord backs do not find solace in the ice-dancing!